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Stealers shooting
for success
Staffs Stealers shootingguard Luke Hatfield haswarned the rest of theleague to watch theirbacks this season, after astrong recruitment to theuniversity outfit duringthe summer pre-season.
Staffs stealers finished sec-ond from bottom last termafter a season dogged with in-juries, coaching problems andpoor performances but Hat-field says that the tables haveturned and is aiming higherthan ever this season. Hatfieldsaid:
“Last season wasnt thegreatest for us by a long shot,with all the problems with in-juries and the well docu-mented coaching problems,but this season is going to bedifferent.”
Hatfield was one of the Steal-
ers stand out players last season,
winning the teams shooter of the
year award as a rookie and was
one of the teams few shining
lights in an otherwise poor sea-
son. When asked about the
coaching situation last year Luke
had this to say:
“I think we all know what hap-
pened last season with the coach,
it was hard to deal with, being
pulled from the biggest part of
my game and being forced to
drive to the basket time after time
when i could have easily made
twice as many points from shots,
it was a bad situation for me and
obviously it affected our per-
formances, if you feel scared to
shoot like a lot of us did last year
your not going to take them
shots, because otherwise your sit-
ting on that bench for the rest of
the game. I think thats one of the
main reasons for our poor per-
formance last year.”
But now the team is looking
forward, after bringing in a new
coach but also drafting in some
strong talent from the freshers
fair, suddenly Staffs are looking
like strong promotion candidates
this term.
“We’re eager to prove our
doubters wrong, especially after
last year. And i think we’ve got a
great shot this time, bringing in
players who can really run the of-
fense and make shots, like Em-
manuel, Dan (Gardner) and
Latir.”
The preseason success has not
gone unnoticed either, suddenly
a team that finished second from
bottom in their league last year
are being touted as favourites
next to BCU and Varsity is look-
ing more and more winnable this
time round.
“Im looking forward to the
league games like everyone else,
but Varsity is my biggest game
this season for me, having missed
out last year because of injury, im
dying to get onto the court and
show Keele that we’re better.”
Staffs missed out by a single
point last year and Luke had to
sit out on the sidelines and watch
as his team suffered.
“of course, you think, if i was
on court then i could have hit that
shot or i could have hit that free
throw but thats in the past and
now all im thinking about is this
season.”
Luke’s not only done work on
court but off court aswell, be-
coming the teams next commit-
tee member and strong favourite
as captain next year, and he says
its all part and parcel of the team.
“everyone wants to help their
team right? I knew i was going to
do it the moment i was told about
the committee positions, its just
my nature, i always want to help
my team in any way i can.”
Luke only hopes that this sea-
son things run alot smoother than
last year:
“Last year was just crazy, first
we started great, beating Aston
but then we went on a long losing
streak, along with all the other
problems it was a bit weird.”
“But when we saw Northamp-
ton get promoted last season, I
immediately thought to myself,
thats where i want to be next
year, and we’re going to do our
best.”
Hatfield: “We’re eager to
prove our doubters wrong,
especially after last year.”
EXCLUSIVE
Luke Hatfield
l Above Stealers player Luke Hatfield (Left) and Stealers huddle
Stealers veteran Jonny Chan-dler has echoed his team mateswords by stating that the teamare ready to go this season.
Chandler was last seasonscaptain and chairman but sawhis team drop to second frombottom in the league but he saysit wont happen again.
“We’re ready to go this timeround, last season we thoughtwe were ready, but this time wehave got a stronger squad andare looking to improve our posi-tion.”
Chandler is now in his finalyear with the Stealers and hasconfirmed he will not be com-ing back for a final stint withthe team.
“this is it for me, i wont behere next year, so its good to seepeople like Luke stepping up.and i know we have got what ittakes to go far, the competitionis going to be great and i cantwait.”
Chandler:
“Ready to go”
l Pictured above Staffs Uni Stealers (Stoke campus)
Monday, October 11 2010 Staffs Sport 3